Helix Water District customers asked to conserve more

Customers also will see a smaller rate hike than anticipated

EAST COUNTY  Helix Water District customers are being asked to conserve water once again, this time with possible fines levied if they're wasteful. They'll also be getting a rate hike that is less than anticipated.

The Helix Water District Board on Wednesday voted unanimously to join nearly all of the other San Diego County water agencies in a concerted effort to reduce water use and enforce mandatory restrictions. The district's 268,000 customers will be asked to go from the current Level 1 drought watch to Level 2.

Those who don't comply with the new mandates will be given several opportunities to do so before fines would be demanded: $100 for the first violation within a year's time, $200 for a second violation and $500 for additional violations, according to Michelle Curtis, the district's water conservation specialist.

The State Water Resources Control Board last month adopted emergency statewide regulations to reduce outdoor water use. Local water agencies statewide have been adopting their own changes in conservation requests of customers.

"I think customers want to do the right thing," said Board member DeAna Verbeke.

Local rules already in place include not washing paved surfaces; stopping water from runoff and not overspraying landscape; watering before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.; and using a hand held-hose with a shut-off nozzle or bucket to water or wash cars. Helix customers also are being asked to limit lawn watering and landscaped areas to no more than three days a week and no more than 10 minutes per day with a hand-held hose or bucket and to repair any leaks within 72 hours of notification by the district.

Curtis said the district is working on educating the public about what is expected with the new restrictions. It is doing outreach via its website, in a newsletter sent to homes, through automated phone calls and will have postings in the district office lobby on University Avenue in La Mesa.

While Helix expects an increase in the number of customers who will call and let them know when they see or suspect the wasting of water, the district plans on giving people ample time to fix any issue before levying a fine.

"Neighbors should be helping neighbors," said board member Kathleen Hedberg. "My philosophy is we all need to work together, go knock on your neighbor's door and let them know if their sprinkler is broken, try to help out before inundating Helix with thousands of phone calls. We can all work together on this. Helix will be able to help the rest of the state with this drought."

The board on Wednesday also shared good news that because of an updated five-year projection that showed a reduction in the operating budget by nearly $300,000 and better-than-forecast year-end revenue/expenditures savings of just over $120,000, customers' rates will be rising on average less than had been previously announced.